LAN's first 787

LAN, the Chile-based carrier which recently merged with TAM of Brazil, expects to receive the first of 10 stretched Boeing 787-9 in 2015. The new model forms a key element of a fleet expansion which will see it receive 32 787-8/9s by 2022.

The airline, which officially took delivery of its first 787 on Aug 31, is scheduled to take a further two -8s by the end of 2012. One of these will be LN (Line Number) 74, currently undergoing final pre-delivery preparations. It remains unclear whether the third delivery of 2012 will be either of the two early build aircraft undergoing change incorporation or LN 80, the first 787 to be built on the newly-activated surge line at Everett. Two more will follow in 2013 and seven more in 2014.

(Boeing)

LAN's fleet of 787s will initially fly to Santiago, Buenos Aires, Lima, Los Angeles, Madrid and Frankfurt. “The aircraft will begin to fly commercially in the next few months, and these routes will be added gradually during its first year of operation,” says Boeing.